June Rose Rothwell. June 10, 1929 - November 1, 2014. June was born on June 10, 1929 in Yorkton, SK. She was the second daughter of Richard and Augusta (nee Jackson) Rothwell. June grew up on the family farm near Willowbrook, SK, where she attended Look Out School from grades 1 to 10, taking grades 9 and 10 by correspondence. After completing grades 11 and 12 at the Yorkton Collegiate, she graduated in 1947. In September of that year she attended Normal School in Moose Jaw, SK. After six weeks of studies, she accepted a teaching position at Oak Knoll School in Rocanville, SK, where she stayed for two years. She was only 18 years old, but was teaching grades 1 - 10. June then moved to Pheasant Hills School, near Duff, SK. In 1950, she accepted a position in the junior room at Willowbrook School. In 1951 she moved to Yorkton, teaching grade 2 at Burke School, where she stayed for 15 years. In 1967 June intended to return to University, however, she was asked to accept an interim position at the Lions School in Yorkton. She taught there for 24 years, the last ten years as principal. In 1991, June and her students became part of Dr. Brass School. June obtained a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Her career ended in 1992, after 44 years of exemplary service to Saskatchewan youth. June's greatest satisfaction over the years was her work with special needs children. Her time at the Lions' School led to an interest in Special Olympics. She was involved in the organization of the first provincial meet in Saskatchewan and continued to be active in Special Olympics locally and provincially for many years. Admired for her generosity and compassion, June was a dedicated community worker and member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church choir and altar guild. Her appreciation of music, curling, gardening, baking and visitors brought her joy as her failing health kept her closer to home. June's compassion for the plight of stray animals led her to rescue many homeless cats. Finding homes for them was not easy and often these poor creatures were sheltered by June. June was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Augusta Rothwell; her sister, Dora Laing; her brothers, Gordon and Richard Rothwell; sister-in-law, Hilda Rothwell; brothers-in-law, Charles Laing and Carroll Chlopan and many special friends. She leaves to mourn her passing, her sister, Kathleen Chlopan; her special nieces and nephews, Sharon Phillips (Ralph), Chari LaLonde, Gordon Laing, Lesley Magnus (Randy), Richard Chlopan (Lisa), Scott Chlopan and Barbara Diaz (Felipe) as well as many devoted friends and colleagues. June's family wish to extend a very special thank you to Dr. A.C. Van Heerden and the circle of friends that cared for June the last years of her life. A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of June Rose Rothwell was held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Yorkton, SK on Saturday, November 8, 2014 with Reverend Kim Salo and Reverend Luanne Hrywkiw officiating. The organist, Judy Berg led the congregation and members of Holy Trinity Anglican Church Choir in the singing of the hymns, "Lift High The Cross", "Sister, Let Me Be Your Servant", "How Great Thou Art" and the "Dunc Dimittus". The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Richard Chlopan, Scott Chlopan, Troy Phillips, John Knoch, Brian Beck and Terry Chornomud serving as the casket bearers. To honour and commemorate the life of June Rothwell, donations can be made to Guardian Angel Animal Rescue (Box 1751, Yorkton, SK, S3N 3L4), the Yorkton SPCA (79 7th Ave. S., Yorkton, SK, S3N 3V1) or Holy Trinity Anglican Church (165 2nd Ave. N., Yorkton, SK, S3N 1G5). Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
